When our team was searching lighting options in preparation for the 2010 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race the first company that came to mind was Princeton Tec. PT has been a mainstay on the adventure racing circuit since the sports introduction in North America in the late 90’s and have constantly raised the bar in the lighting world with their waterproof, efficient and comfortable headlamps. It was exactly what we needed when competing at the “Race at the end of the world.”
For 6 nights in southern Chile we hammered these lights, mostly using the extremely efficient 4-ultrabright LEDs for trekking and paddling, while ocassionally using the maxbright LED for any navigationally-tricky sections which required more light (the maxbright setting is so incredibly bright with a distance of over 100m!). We brought 3 sets of rechargeable batteries and found that more than ample for our needs. Batteries were easy to change and the strap was comfortable and easily adjustable. It rained and it snowed several nights while in the Darwin range and the Apex kept shining. We dropped them, we bashed them on overhanging rocks, we rapelled down canyons… all while wearing these great headlamps.
Since Patagonia the PT Apex has become one of my training and racing staples. It has seen plenty of action ranging from other adventure races to my back-up mountain bike light to my weekly trail run in Nassagaweya Canyon during winter’s long nights.
If you are looking for a great headlamp for adventure racing or trail running look no further, PT has got you covered with the Apex. They can be found here and at your local Running Free.
